Most surprising moment: Jefferson "Hap" Paine welcomed the audience to the graduation ceremony by walking to the podium. Last fall, he was in a wheelchair with a pinched nerve he got in weight training and was virtually paralyzed.

Principal: Todd Oto

What he said of the class of 2010: "This is a class that understood 'we' more than 'me.' These kids sought simply to be themselves, to be proud, to be creative."

Class speaker: Alexandra Martinez

Best quote from outgoing Visalia Unified School District Superintendent Stan Carrizosa: "We look into the eyes of these young people every day, and we're here to tell you the future looks bright."

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Amal Qasem, 15, who fled civil war in Yemen, is a success story for what is possible with technology and passion. She’s excelling in computer programming at her Selma middle school while learning to speak English.